Gaillardia plant named ‘FANFARE BLAZE’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Gaillardia  named ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ that is distinguishable by a long blooming period, gray-green leaves, a compact, low-growing habit and large inflorescences composed of brilliant orange-red tubular ray flowers with yellow apices. In combination these traits set ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Gaillardia  known to the inventors.

Genus: GAILLARDIA.

Species: ×grandiflora.

Denomination: ‘FANFARE BLAZE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of blanketflower, an herbaceous perennial that is grown for use as an ornamentallandscape and container plant. The new invention is known botanically asGaillardia×grandiflora and will be referred to hereinafter by thecultivar name ‘FANFARE BLAZE’. Gaillardia is in the family Compositae,under which the commonly referred to “flower” is actually theinflorescence, and made up of smaller ray flowers and disc florets. Theray flowers themselves have the appearance of “petals”.

‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is product of a Gaillardia breeding program started bythe inventors in 2006. The breeding program is conducted in a greenhousein a nursery environment in West Sussex, United Kingdom. The aims of thebreeding program are to produce novel combinations of flower colors andflower forms which are borne on well-branched plants with sturdy growthhabits. The inventors selected ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ in 2007 for its brightorange-red flowers which are produced continually from spring until falland which do not fade with age. The inventors also selected for itscompact and naturally branching habit.

‘FANFARE BLAZE’ resulted from the controlled cross pollination asfollows: The female parent of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,892) which was discovered as a chance seedlingby one of the inventors in 1997. The male parent of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ isan unreleased and unpatented seedling of the inventors' origin, codenumber G5.

‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is distinguishable from the female parent as follows:Whereas the female parent exhibits yellow and red tubular bi-coloredflowers, the flowers of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ are also tubular but orange-redin color and less notably bi-colored. ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ also grows with amore compact and freely-branching habit than the female parent. Finally,‘FANFARE BLAZE’ remains in flower longer, until late fall.

‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is distinguishable from the male parent as follows:Whereas the male parent exhibits flat petals, the petals of ‘FANFAREBLAZE’ are tubular.

The variety of Gaillardia which is considered by the inventors to mostclosely resemble ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is the female parent variety,‘Fanfare’. The two varieties are compared above. The inventors considerthat the variety of Gaillardia plant known as ‘Tizzy’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,944) is similar to ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ in respect of its tubular rayflowers. However, the tubular ray flowers of ‘Tizzy’ are red in colorwhereas the tubular ray flowers of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ are orange-red incolor and exhibit a prominent bright petal apex when the inflorescenceis fully expanded.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ was firstaccomplished by the inventors in 2007. The method of asexual propagationused was vegetative cuttings taken from the original selection which wasgrowing in an unheated greenhouse in West Sussex, United Kingdom.Subsequent asexual propagations have been carried out by the inventorsin the same greenhouse using both vegetative cuttings and root cuttings.The inventors have determined that ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is stable andreproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction by either method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’. These traits incombination distinguish ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ from all other existingvarieties of Gaillardia×grandiflora known to the inventors. ‘FANFAREBLAZE’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypicdifferences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic,and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ exhibits a compact and naturally branching        plant habit.    -   2. ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ exhibits large inflorescences composed of        numerous bright orange-red tubular ray flowers.    -   3. The petals of the tubular ray flowers of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ are        entirely scarlet in color when the inflorescence is newly open.    -   4. As the inflorescence expands, the petals of the tubular ray        flowers develop an orange-red color. At the same time, the petal        apex develops a yellow coloration which becomes prominent when        the inflorescence is fully expanded.    -   5. The disc flowers of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ are yellow when the        inflorescence is newly opening, becoming crimson when the        inflorescence is fully expanded.    -   6. ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ blooms continually from spring until late        fall.    -   7. After one year's growth in a 3 liter container, ‘FANFARE        BLAZE’ is 35 cm-40 cm in height and 40 cm-45 cm in width.    -   8. At maturity in the ground, ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is 40 cm-45 cm in        height and 50 cm-55 cm in width.    -   9. ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is hardy to USDA Zone 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Gaillardia cultivar ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which more accurately describes theactual colors of the new variety ‘FANFARE BLAZE’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts a whole plant of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’which has been grown in a frost-free greenhouse in West Sussex, UnitedKingdom. The illustrated plant is one year old and has been grownwithout any pinching or chemical growth regulator.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a whole plant of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’viewed from above and grown under the same conditions as the plant inFIG. 1. This drawing illustrates the inflorescence at all stages frombud to newly-opened to fully-opened to senescent.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 3 depicts a close up view of the fullyexpanded inflorescence of ‘FANFARE BLAZE’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the newGaillardia×grandiflora cultivar ‘FANFARE BLAZE’. Observations,measurements, values and comparisons were compiled in Santa Barbara,Calif. from a one year old plant growing out of doors in full sun infreely drained garden loam. Color determinations are made in accordancewith the 2007 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chartfrom London England, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Gaillardia×grandiflora.-   Genus: Gaillardia.-   Species: ×grandiflora.-   Common name: Blanket flower.-   Parentage: Gaillardia×grandiflora ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ resulted from the    controlled cross pollination between:    -   -   Female parent.—Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            15,892).        -   Male parent.—An unreleased and unpatented seedling of the            inventors' origin, code number G5.-   Propagation method: Typically by softwood cuttings although root    cuttings have also been successful.-   Rooting system: Fine and fibrous.-   Vigor: Moderate vigor.-   Time to develop roots: 14 to 20 days are needed for an initial    cutting to develop roots.-   Temperature to develop roots: The recommended air temperature is    20-21° Centigrade.-   Crop time: Approximately 10 weeks to 2 months are needed to produce    a 15-centimeter container from a rooted cutting.-   Growth habit: Compact and naturally freely branching.-   Suggested container size: 15-centimeter container.-   Use: Ornamental for use as a landscape plant or container plant.-   Type: Herbaceous perennial.-   Overall dimensions: After one year's growth in a 3 liter container:    35-40 cm in height and 40 cm-45 cm in width.    -   -   At maturity in the ground.—40-45 cm in height and 50-55 cm            in width.-   Cultural requirements: Grow in full sun with moderate water, and    well-draining soil such as loam.-   Resistance to pests and diseases: ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ has not been    observed to exhibit any resistance to any particular pest or    disease. ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ is susceptible to downy mildew and to    thrips as may be typical of Gaillardia.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 5.-   Growing requirements: If grown outside in regions which experience    winter freezing, ‘FANFARE BLAZE’ may be started as a cutting during    the spring or summer of the previous year, planted out prior to the    onset of winter, and flowering will commence typically in May or    June according to the region and season. When grown outside in    frost-free regions, or in frost-protected greenhouses, ‘FANFARE    BLAZE’ will flower virtually all year round and may be started as a    cutting (which should be non-flowering) at any time of year.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching.        -   Stem color (juvenile growth).—138D.        -   Stem color (stem is mature).—184B.        -   Stem dimensions.—9-12 cm in length and 5 mm. in width.        -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical, slightly fluted longitudinally.        -   Stem surface.—Markedly villous with dense coverage of very            fine silvery hairs, approximately 3 mm in length.        -   Internode length.—Average internode length is 15-18 mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf form.—Predominantly linear with occasional pair of            protruding lobes and (rarely) multiple opposite lobes as in            an oak leaf.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf shape.—Linear.        -   Leaf length.—10 cm.        -   Leaf width.—2 cm.        -   Lobes (where present as one pair).—2 cm in length, 0.75 cm            in width, shape linear, apex rounded.        -   Lobes (where present in multiple pairs).—4 cm in length,            0.75 cm in width, shape linear, apex rounded.        -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.        -   Leaf apex.—Rounded.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Leaf color (both surfaces).—138A.        -   Leaf venation pattern.—Parallel. Mid vein protrudes on both            surfaces.        -   Vein color (both surfaces).—138B.        -   Leaf surface (both surfaces).—Pubescent, very fine silvery            hairs, lighter than 202D; approximately 3 mm in length.        -   Fragrance.—A slight sage-like scent when bruised.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Solitary.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward.        -   Dimensions of inflorescence.—65-70 mm in diameter and 25 mm            in height.        -   Inflorescence type.—Radiate capitate.        -   Inflorescence shape.—Radiate with center disc.        -   Disc diameter (inflorescence fully expanded).—30 mm.        -   Inflorescence number per plant.—Very numerous: a mature            one-year old plant bears approximately 100 inflorescences in            bud and flower at one time.        -   Blooming season.—Spring, summer and fall.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—10 days, reducing to 7 days in            full sun in mid-summer.        -   Peduncle dimensions.—7-9 cm in length and 3 mm in width.        -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Peduncle surface.—Surface is pubescent and exhibits            longitudinal ridges.        -   Peduncle color.—138D.        -   Peduncle strength.—Moderate.        -   Immature inflorescence shape (bud).—Closest to rotate whorl.        -   Immature inflorescence dimensions (bud).—3 cm in diameter            and 1.50 cm in length.        -   Color of immature inflorescence (bud).—138B.        -   Surface of immature inflorescence (bud).—Villous.        -   Ray flower shape.—Tubular.        -   Ray flower surface (outer surface).—Pubescent.        -   Ray flower surface (inner surface).—Glabrous.        -   Ray flower arrangement.—Radiate.        -   Number of ray flowers per inflorescence.—25 to 35 ray            flowers per inflorescence.        -   Number of petals per ray flower.—Four.        -   Fused or unfused.—Petals are basally fused.        -   Petal margins of ray flowers.—Entire.        -   Ray flower dimensions.—3.0 cm in length including the            corolla tube, 1.0 cm in width at the apex.        -   Corolla tube dimensions.—15 mm in depth and 5 mm in            diameter.        -   Color of ray flowers (inflorescence newly opening, both            surfaces).—N34A.        -   Color of ray flowers (inflorescence fully expanded, both            surfaces).—Base of tube N34B becoming 32A towards apex; apex            8A.        -   Ray flower veins (both surfaces).—Longitudinal, parallel,            fine but prominent; color N34A.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Quantity of disc florets per inflorescence.—Numerous,            approximately 200-250.        -   Disc floret dimensions (including pistil length).—9 mm in            length and 2.5 mm in width.        -   Depth of disc floret corolla tube.—6 mm in depth.        -   Surface of disc florets.—Lanate.        -   Color of disc flowers (inflorescence newly opening, both            surfaces).—12A.        -   Color of disc flowers (inflorescence fully expanded, both            surfaces).—N34A.        -   Phyllary dimensions.—5.50 cm in diameter and 3 cm in length.        -   Phyllary color.—147B.        -   Phyllary arrangement.—Whorl.        -   Number of involucral bracts.—An average of 25 in number per            inflorescence.        -   Shape of involucral bract.—Oblanceolate.        -   Involucral bract dimensions.—2 cm in length and 0.50 cm in            width.        -   Involucral bract margin.—Entire.        -   Involucral bract apex.—Acute.        -   Involucral bract base.—Truncate.        -   Involucral bract color (both surfaces).—138B.        -   Involucral bract surface (abaxial surface).—Pubescent.        -   Involucral bract surface (adaxial surface).—Pubescent.        -   Fragrance of inflorescence.—Sweet fragrance.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens (present on disc florets only).—Three in number,            adnate to inner surface of corolla tube.        -   Stamen dimensions.—0.20 mm in width and 5 mm in length.        -   Stamen color.—17A.        -   Stamen form.—Plumose.        -   Anther dimensions.—0.50 mm in length and 1 mm in width.        -   Anther color.—187A.        -   Anther shape.—Narrow lanceolate.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Quantity of pollen.—Large amount.        -   Pollen color.—17C.        -   Pistil (present on ray florets and disc florets).—One per            floret.        -   Pistil length.—12 mm in length.        -   Style dimensions.—2 mm in length and 1 mm in width.        -   Style color.—150D.        -   Stigma dimensions.—8 mm in length and 1.75 mm in width.        -   Stigma form.—Plumose.        -   Stigma color.—187A.        -   Stigma shape.—Bifurcate.        -   Ovary position.—Inferior.        -   Ovary color.—150D.        -   Ovary shape.—Globose.        -   Ovary dimensions.—1 mm in width and 2 mm in height.-   Seed:    -   -   Number of seeds.—80-90 seeds per inflorescence.        -   Seed dimensions.—1 mm in length and 0.50 mm in width.        -   Seed color.—199D.        -   Seed surface.—Bristled, color: 156A.        -   Seed shape.—Piriform.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gaillardia×grandiflora plant named‘FANFARE BLAZE’ as described and illustrated herein.